PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go urged the government to continue investing in grassroots sports development as he stressed that this will give aspiring athletes the opportunity to uplift their lives, bring honor to the country, and keep the youth away from illegal drugs and criminality.

This, as the senator is set to join President Rodrigo Duterte in the inspection of the National Academy of Sports on Tuesday, June 14, in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac. The President was invited as guest of honor and speaker for the event.

"Sa pamamagitan ng pagbigay ng maayos na mga programa sa ating mga kabataan upang sila ay makapag-aral ng mabuti at magabayan sa kanilang mga talento sa sports, mas mabibigyan natin sila ng oportunidad na magtagumpay sa buhay,” said Go in his previous statements.

“Layunin ko na magkaroon ang ating mga kabataan ng marangal at maayos na pamumuhay ‘di lang ngayon kundi pati sa kanilang pagtanda,” he explained.

As part of his vision to provide a dedicated academy for promising young athletes, Go authored and co-sponsored a bill in the Senate which became Republic Act No. 11470 in 2020. The law provided for the establishment of the NAS System and Main Campus.

The NAS also offers a secondary education program with an integrated special curriculum on sports which was developed in close coordination with the Department of Education and Philippine Sports Commission.

Go explained that the said law is in line with his vision of providing a dedicated learning facility where promising young athletes can further hone their talents while getting quality education.

“At the same time makapag-aral ka habang nagte-training ka... Kasi noon po, nag-aaral ka, nasasakripisyo ‘yung pagte-training. ‘Pag nag-training ka naman, nasasakripisyo naman po ‘yung pag-aaral,” explained Go.

“Ngayon po, at the same time, puwede mong gawin dahil nag-aaral ka while nagte-training ka. Iyan po ‘yung National Academy for Sports,” he added.

Go also commended President Duterte for approving the funding for the development of the NAS's facilities and amenities in a timely manner. The government has set aside P729 million for building expenditures, which include civil works, fittings, furnishings, and equipment, as well as consultant services.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, Go promised to work hand in hand with the country’s athletes to restore the Philippines’ glory in sports and thanked them once again for their contributions in nation-building.

According to Go, aside from honing the skills of budding Filipino athletes, sports will help them stay away from illegal drugs and criminality.

“It is an honor to help provide these opportunities for students who wish to achieve more in their lives and help make a difference through proper education and sports development. During my first month as a senator, I dreamed of establishing an educational institution that would specialize in sports development,” Go said earlier.

“Looking back, I am delighted that all the hard work has finally paid off and we are on the path toward sports excellence,” he continued.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go also ensured in 2021 that adequate funding is included in the PSC's budget this year to support athletes' preparations for the Tokyo Olympics and other international competitions.

At the height of the pandemic, Go likewise urged concerned agencies to help athletes whose training and livelihood had been hampered by the restrictions. This led to the provision of financial assistance and other forms of aid to athletes in various parts of the country.

He has also pushed for other legislative measures to safeguard athletes' welfare as part of the country's sports development programs. Previously, he expressed his support for the Philippine Sports Training Center in Bataan.

Signed by President Duterte in February 2019, Republic Act No. 11214 provides for the creation of the PSTC which seeks “to promote and develop sports in the country, to achieve excellence in international sports competitions, to ensure success in the country's quest to achieve competitiveness in the Olympic Games and to promote international amity among nations.”

Go highlighted that together with the National Academy of Sports, both institutions are gifts from the government to national athletes. (OSBG)